Ishola Dare Tope

An accomplished Mechanical Maintenance and Reliability Engineering Professional with over 20 years of progressive experience in the FMCG and manufacturing industries. I am a strategic leader with a strong passion for operational excellence, continuous improvement, and sustainable performance across complex engineering environments. My expertise spans asset care, preventive maintenance strategy, equipment reliability optimization, and root cause analysis (RCA) for high-speed packaging, bottling, and production systems.

I take pride in building strong maintenance teams, implementing safety-compliant procedures, and enhancing equipment uptime through Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean principles, and predictive maintenance tools.

Maintenance Team Lead at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. (International Beverages – PepsiCo) (2025-02 – Present)

• Lead preventive and corrective maintenance programs to enhance production line efficiency and asset reliability.
• Oversee mechanical systems, conveyors, and utilities, ensuring adherence to OEM standards and safety regulations.
• Manage asset care strategy, spares inventory, and maintenance budgets to minimize downtime and optimize productivity.
• Supervise and develop multidisciplinary maintenance teams through coaching and technical training.
• Implement root cause analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement practices to achieve consistent equipment uptime.

Conveyor Systems Specialist at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. (International Beverages – PepsiCo) (2024-07 – 2025-01)

Asset Care Manager (ACM) at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. (International Beverages – PepsiCo) (2024-01 – 2024-06)

Maintenance Team Lead at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc. (International Beverages – PepsiCo) (2023-10 – 2023-12)

Mechanical Maintenance Engineer at Fajotech Engineering Ltd (2022-06 – 2023-08)

• Directed preventive and corrective maintenance planning to ensure regulatory compliance and equipment safety.
• Executed major equipment overhauls and outage plans, including spares sourcing and cost management.
• Coordinated maintenance teams, ensuring effective labor utilization and timely execution of maintenance tasks.
• Provided on-the-job training and performance evaluations to improve technician competency and operational standards.
• Supported client sites through technical problem-solving, optimizing plant efficiency and reliability.

Mechanical Machine Specialist at International Breweries Plc (Anheuser-Busch InBev Subsidiary) (2016-12 – 2022-04)

• Led mechanical installation, maintenance, and commissioning of high-speed packaging equipment.
• Achieved improved MTTR and MTBF through proactive maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conducted vibration analysis, oil sampling, and condition-based monitoring to predict equipment failures.
• Collaborated with production teams to implement Lean and TPM methodologies.
• Awarded Plant Best Team of the Month (May 2021) for outstanding equipment reliability performance.
• Applied structured problem-solving tools (5S, Fishbone, DMAIC) to reduce downtime and optimize line performance.

Mechanical Machine Specialist at International Breweries Plc (SABMiller Plc Subsidiary) (2012-05 – 2016-12)

• Performed mechanical maintenance and commissioning of packaging and process machinery.
• Improved asset reliability through equipment performance diagnostics, vibration checks, and predictive maintenance.
• Trained and coached shift artisans and machine operators to build technical capability and drive KPI achievement.
• Supported spare parts management and criticality assessments to minimize maintenance delays.

Mechanical Technician – Packaging Maintenance Department at Consolidated Breweries Plc. (2009-09 – 2012-05)

• Installed and maintained pumps, conveyors, and gearboxes in compliance with OEM specifications.
• Ensured consistent machine uptime through coaching and supervision of 16 operators on maintenance best practices.
• Maintained a clean, safe, and efficient work environment in line with safety standards.

Mechanical Technician at Unilever Nigeria Plc. (2008-05 – 2008-11)

• Assisted in commissioning the OMO detergent plant and Bosch packaging systems.
• Executed preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, conveyors, and production lines.
• Trained operators on equipment care and ensured machinery availability and reliability.

Mechanical Technician – Glass Silicate Maintenance Department at PZ Cussons Industries Plc. (2003-07 – 2006-06)

• Maintained furnaces, dissolving tanks, conveyors, elevators, and cooling towers for optimal plant performance.
• Supported process improvement initiatives to reduce downtime and improve throughput.

Mechanical Craftsman – Slurry Maintenance Department at PZ Cussons Industries Plc. (2000-06 – 2003-07)

• Conducted preventive and corrective maintenance on high-pressure pumps, conveyors, and spray towers.
• Ensured safety compliance and operational continuity through structured maintenance procedures.

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering – Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke (2014-09 – 2017)

Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mechanical Engineering – Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikosi-Ketu (2000-09 – 2004)